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The problem with texting while driving

posted Dec 6, 2016, 8:59 AM by stu.zachschwarzenberger@usd356.org

Imagine you, and maybe a friend or two, are in a car speeding down the highway completely drunk. For obvious reasons, this is a terrible idea. After all, driving intoxicated accounts for several car accidents every year. What’s strange is that not as many people frown upon someone who texts while driving, even though it’s just as dangerous.

Most people feel they are good enough to look at their phones while driving, but according to a study by the University of Utah, people who are texting while they drive are eight times more likely to crash. If that’s the case, then why do we still have people that will pull out their phones to check their messages while driving? Not only does this put you in danger, but it also endangers anyone else in the car and other drivers on the road.

People might feel that the text message might be important and feel the need to read it immediately. While it’s possible this could happen, maybe a close friend is in danger and needs help, it’s very unlikely that the text would need you to take your eyes off the road. If you really feel you need to read the message, you should pull over to the side of the road or get somewhere where you can park safely.

Texting and driving has been an issue for years, and I don’t see it fully going away anytime soon. Although 46 states already made it illegal to send messages while driving, I’m sure that within the next few years it will definitely be seen as something that is as bad as drunk driving.